Why Cold Water Helps You Calm Down

I’m not a fan of cold water. If it’s below 25 degrees, I’m out.

But I’ll make an exception for one thing - putting my face into cold water. And you should too.

That’s because of something called the mammalian dive reflex, a built-in survival response that helps us calm down fast. When triggered, it slows the heart rate, relaxes muscles, and deactivates the stress response—helping you feel more grounded in seconds.

It’s a pretty cool (pun intended) way to ease tension and reset your nervous system.

In this video, you’ll learn:

• How the mammalian dive reflex works;

• Two ways to use cold water to calm yourself down

• What you need to make the most of the mammalian dive reflex

Even if you’re not a fan of cold water, you might be surprised at how well this works. So grab a bowl of cold water and watch the video to try it for yourself!

Need more support?

Join a webinar or or book a session with a therapist.